4040 — Shall We Know Each Other?
Can you tell me whether there is any scripture which justifies us in believing that we shall know each other in the heavenly land? First, why should we not know each other? It is not, and has not been, God's plan that His children should be strangers to each other. That is shown in all of His plan unperverted by Satan. It was God's design that all in this world should be one great family, all children of the one father Adam, and if sin had never entered, all would have been relatives and acquaintances and members of the one family. See Eph. 3:15. Again, is it not reasonable to believe that God would have those who have been associated here in His work and have borne trials and perplexities and burdens and crosses, acquainted in the heavenly land? Jesus said to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt. 19:28. The very companionship with Jesus here entitles them to a companionship over there. This same thing is taught in the Lord's Supper. "But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." One other passage of Scripture, found in 1 Cor. 13:9, 10, 12: "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away." "Now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known."